Seabury boys persevere, make 1A state field

The Seahawks qualified for their first trip to the Class 1A-DI tournament by defeating top-seeded Waverly, 58-42, on Saturday night in the sub-state final.

And it wasn’t easy. Two of the Seahawks’ starters, Thomas Diaz and Georgi Funtarov, and their sixth man, Marcus Allen, picked up their second fouls in the first quarter.

“That really hamstrung us,” Seabury coach Ashley Battles said, “so we had to survive in the first half and get to the second half, regroup, reaffirm our game plan and just execute it. We understood that was part of what we were going to see. We were prepared for it.”

The Seahawks clung to a 28-24 halftime lead, then outscored Waverly 19-8 in the third quarter for a 47-32 edge.

Khadre Lane led Seabury with 20 points, including 12 in the third quarter. None of the foul-plagued Seahawks fouled out, and Diaz finished with 15 points and Funtarov with 12.

“We picked up the defense,” Battles said about Seabury’s second-half surge. “We were able to regroup defensively.”

Seabury improved to 12-10 and ended Waverly’s season at 18-4. The Seahawks will begin play in the Class 1A-DI tournament Wednesday in Emporia.

“We are amped, no question about it,” Battles said. “It’s something we definitely didn’t take for granted, but we did expect to get to state. We’re a 1A school, but our schedule is certainly not a 1A schedule. We’ve played 6A schools. We’ve played 5A schools. We were prepared.”

Comments

The St. Paul community was great. From the time we got into town and went to the Market and our groceries were carried to the car (haven't seen that in years) to the game where the St. Paul High School students cheered our team on like it was their own to the ending where the St. Paul students came down on the floor and celebrated the victory with us. It was a great experience. Thank you St. Paul for your hospitality.

Alot of talent on that team, coach is a joke though! Still amazes me after all these years that somehow these new kids just happen to "show up" each year. Can't tell me that some of these kids are not recruited. Two brothers just happen to transfer from Cornerstone to play for Seabury last year and then two new starters show up this year.........hmmmm.

User84...clearly you don't know what you're talking about! Unless in your world "all these years" equivocates to "2". Coach Battles is one of the most committed, passionate coaches in high school basketball. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone who knows a thing about the game to back up your insulate comment. Have a great day! Better luck next year!

Who wouldn't want to go to a school that has a popular AAU basketball coach and heard that there was a great basketball program starting up and you can get a GREAT education from a college prep school if you plan on attending college and to top it off it is in Lawrence, Kansas where THE BEST D1 College basketball team calls home. I am sure there are other kids around the globe researching places like Bishop Seabury, Findlay Prep, etc. and trying to get in a school like this with all of their might because they have high hopes and plans. These kids probably quietly hope that maybe if they are so close to KU they might even get to see the best basketball coach of all time in action. Why would there have to even be recruiting? It is just a perfect situation in a perfect place. Truthfully, we should be happy that a school like this exists in Kansas. The kids at this school are probably getting an A1 education and whether they excel in Forensics, Sports, Theatre or whatever, they are going to be successful in Ivy League Schools, D1 schools or any university around the globe. Personally I am glad that this kind of institution exists in Kansas and not only New York, Boston, California, Virginia, Las Vegas. Maybe you should just cope with the loss (Bishop vs. Waverly) another way and not attack one of Kansas' gems.

I can tell you that the first serious basketball player to go there a couple of years ago went because of academics. He expressed to his family that if he went to a D1 college he wanted to make sure he could handle the stress of assignments and practice. Bishop Seabury is known for their intense academics. It is no joke. You have to be willing to sacrifice financially and put in many many hours of studying a week. It is just like college. Those athletes that you're talking about, they have made a committment to academics. If they don't have their homework tight they don't play. The school has made believers out of all of them. Athletes get no special treatment there but are rewarded when they do something like they did the other night by winning Sub-State. Their reward is a smile and good job in the hall way and maybe a mention at morning meeting. So new kids don't just "show up". They make a committment to an academic process that can only help them with their ball playing goals. This school doesn't have to recruit. Kids and parents can just look at who wants to go there and then visit and then it is all over. Who doesn't want that for their aspiring artist, hopeful little nba player, soccer player, forensics genius or budding actress.

Who cares if they are recruited. It's a private school. Get over it. Everyone knows they are recruited. There are kids at both public High Schools in town that were told if they went to Seabury they would get there tuition paid for. Congrats on you 1A state opportunity Seabury. Go get'em

"There are kids at both public High Schools in town that were told if they went to Seabury they would get there tuition paid for."

Rule 19
UNDUE INFLUENCE
To maintain a proper relationship between the academic purposes of schools and their activities programs, all members of the Kansas State High School Activities Association must refrain from recruitment, inducement or other forms of persuasion and undue influence which would encourage a student to enroll in or transfer to a school primarily for activity purposes.

Goob you got me wrong. I truely have nothing to do with Seabury. Couldn't care if they win or lose other than liking to see a Lawrence team do well. My personal opinion is that they under achieve with the talent they have. The recruiting part is just reality all over the country. And I do know for sure that players have been told that. It's no secret. But really who cares. The kids are playing where they want with there friends so let it be. I just find it interesting that Seabury BBall is all you post on. Are these kids playing in front of you or your son/daughter? Are you from Free State and know your team would be better with Lane and Allen? Or Hoag and Gaumer? Just wondering. Seems real personal for you.

That wasn't Goob that said that, he was quoting me. It's pretty common knowledge. I wouldn't be surprised if they get a new Bball player from LHS next year who has the same deal. But I'm all for it. Let's not pretend it's not happening and hide behind the "show me proof" chant. We wont throw "proof" up here just so it can be said "it is a lie". So believe what you will. We could always ask for there books? Have them show where the checks are coming from. But I don't think it is a big deal.

1 How many public schools can afford to lose the enrollment fees right now. And there is a big difference between $100 and 14K.

2 It is a big deal. Most schools I have been associated with (public and private) don't recruit as you have stated. If they are recruited and given "scholarships" for academic reasons and just happened to be good ball players, I'd understand. But to recruit and offer that on purely athletic reasons is blatantly against the rules (see rule 19). That's my beef with BS.

Its not personal. This is a matter of ethics when, as you have said, these people are breaking the rules. I could see how someone could take it personally, but wouldn't you take it personally if someone beat you out of something by skirting the rules? I also understand that this is just a game, but games have rules and they need to be followed.